Information handling system secure RF wireless communication management with out-of-band encryption information handshake

Abstract

A server information handling system baseboard management controller (BMC) includes an NFC transceiver that communicates NFC signals through an NFC antenna structure. The BMC selectively configures the NFC antenna structure to isolate portions of conductive material for use as an antenna in non-NFC communications, such as wireless local area network communications (WLAN) at 2.4 or 5 GHz or wireless personal area network (WPAN) communications at 2.4 or 60 GHz. In one embodiment, WLAN and WPAN communications are encrypted with a key provided through NFC or other types of wireless communication, such as visible, infrared or ultraviolet light signals.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 580,912, entitled “Information Handling System Multi-Purpose NFC Antenna” by inventors Syed S. Ahmed, I-Yu Chen, and Minhazul Islam, filed Dec. 23, 2014, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system wireless communication, and more particularly to an information handling system multi-purpose NFC antenna.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a system and method for improving security in wireless communications associated with a server information handling system. The system includes an NFC coil antenna that can communicate with various wireless protocols, such as WLAN and WPAN. The NFC antenna can be selectively configured for different wireless communication frequencies and protocols based on pre-determined conditions, such as the availability of a shared private encryption key. The NFC antenna can be segmented to improve security by directing signals towards the location at which the NFC device is located. The invention reduces the risk of malicious interception without impacting reception by the intended device. Overall, the invention enhances the security of wireless communications associated with a server information handling system.

Problems solved by technology

Although IT administrators have physical access to server information handling systems and perform management functions with access to BMCs, IT administrators often do not have access to applications running on server information handling systems or data stored by the applications.

In many instances, data centers and enterprises prohibit the use of wireless communication to and from server information handling systems for security reasons.

Wireless communication is also not a practical solution in many data center environments where densely packed racks of server information handling systems would have difficulty coordinating wireless channels and protocols.

Further, implementing a WLAN or WPAN chip and antenna in the restricted physical space available at a BMC presents a design challenge for server information handling system manufacturers.

NFC is an acceptable wireless communication medium for most server data centers because of its limited range, however, NFC often has limited usefulness due to its relatively low bandwidth.

These limitations have impacted the adoption of NFC in data centers so that IT administrators tend to rely instead on communications through hardwired interfaces.

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